Remember how excited we all were the 2016 class

All the star power players had us near or at the top of there list at one point. This class is quickly becoming a huge dud so far.

Wonderful…

Do you remember how excited we all were when jsmith68 joined the forum? He is quickly becoming a huge dud of a poster.

If Izzo gets Bridges and Winston to go along with Langford and Davis et al, that would be absolutely brutal for us.

Need at least one of Battle/Winston/Bridges/Goodin/Brown to salvage this class after a couple of very low-key years. I have confidence that they’ll get at least one of them. But if the last spot is filled by a role player, it will be hard to stay positive. Unless beating MSU, OSU, and Crean is unimportant to you. (I expect post-Ryan Wisconsin to return to irrelevance.)

If Izzo gets Bridges and Winston to go along with Langford and Davis et al, that would be absolutely brutal for us.

Need at least one of Battle/Winston/Bridges/Goodin/Brown to salvage this class after a couple of very low-key years. I have confidence that they’ll get at least one of them. But if the last spot is filled by a role player, it will be hard to stay positive. Unless beating MSU, OSU, and Crean is unimportant to you. (I expect post-Ryan Wisconsin to return to irrelevance.)

He has beat their always talented rosters with worse talent than he has now. Did you just start watching in 2013? I know that was a hip year to join the bandwagon.

Maybe the staff can start selling Bridges and Winston on the idea of playing together. I believe they play on the same AAU team correct? I know package deals dont happen to often, but that would be great.

MattR - 1989 actually. Also admittedly a good year for jumping on the bandwagon. And my expectations haven’t fallen since.

Sking - Now you’re talking. Good to have a few people here who think we can aim a little higher than Blake McLimans without having to hand out benjamins in front of shady prep schools.

In all seriousness, if you don’t think we need to get a single guy of the caliber described above in 2016 – and if meanwhile Izzo lands the trifecta of Langford/Bridges/Winston – would you actually bet any money on Michigan winning in Ann Arbor against that juggernaut? I would not.

In all seriousness, if you don't think we need to get a single guy of the caliber described above in 2016 -- and if meanwhile Izzo lands the trifecta of Langford/Bridges/Winston -- would you actually bet any money on Michigan winning in Ann Arbor against that juggernaut? I would not.

No way im betting against them. Those three plus the other players they have would be a very very tough team. I just hope our recruiting woes dont continue and we land a quality player of two. Although i would rather have Battle than Bridges, he seems to fit the offense better. But i doubt Battle comes back

He has beat Izzo in Breslin with worse talent than he has now. I am around enough that I see them in an open gym or catch a glimpse of a practice or two. I know what he has. He probably will never have much instant impact type talent to add to the roster most years. If the poor guy can ever keep guys around enough where he has a veteran group, I wouldn’t bet against them often. Irvin looks good. I saw him catch the tale end of a first round mock for next year . He thought he would be gone after 2 years, so if he puts it together for the entire year, he is a flight risk. Dawkins looks pretty damn good. Would not shock me one bit if he has a metioric rise up the draft boards by the end of the year.

The roster is pretty underrated. I get it. Rough year. Not a who’s who if the Rivals top 50.

They would have deep run potential next year if they stuck together. Wouldn’t shock me at all of they have a Sweet 16 playing for the Elite 8 type season this year. They have some pieces to work with.

So you are saying my presence here excited you, that’s awesome :).

Do you remember how excited we all were when jsmith68 joined the forum? He is quickly becoming a huge dud of a poster.

We have plenty of talent despite what rankings indicate. I will take junior versions of maar and Dawkins over most freshman coming out to play at state. Aubrey and maar will be the truth. I believe 2014 class is going to go down as a huge one for coach b. No one saw it coming too, but it will be talked about when we make deep runs over the next three years. We will be stocked with juniors and seniors ready to make runs like the Badgers. Imagine if Robinson turns out to be a sniper/ steal then we’re talking huge class.

Mattr I have been touting Dawkins since last year hard, I believe he will be a pro. If it wasn’t for levert and Irvin, I think we would have seen ahuge leap as a go to like stauskas. I actually still think after levert he might be the best go to option. Knock down shooter and great athlete. More minutes for maar too even thought it’s crowded. You put him out there with Walton and levert and that’s a good perimeter defending mix. We have plenty of options this ear and I hope coach b figures how to mix and mash them up properly.

Mattr how does chatman look? Also Wilson? We need those two to adjust their games and to become defenders/ rebounders fsst, so we can get away with small ball. I really think with beileins offensive mind, that this could be s group that shoots teams out the gym. Injuries were a blessing in disguise with how the young guys were thrown into the fire. I just hope they figure how to share the rock because they could give teams nightmares, particularly from downtown.

I like Dawkins and Muhammad Ali. After the potential he showed last year, I really hope that MAAR especially gets enough PT this year to continue his development towards becoming a leader of the team. A lot of people think he’ll be reduced to a minor role behind a (presumably) healthy Caris and Walton but I hope that’s not the case. He’s probably the fastest guy on the team and maybe the second most athletic after Dawkins. I think confidence (along with added strength) is key for him in taking the next step.

I like Dawkins and Muhammad Ali. After the potential he showed last year, I really hope that MAAR especially gets enough PT this year to continue his development towards becoming a leader of the team. A lot of people think he'll be reduced to a minor role behind a (presumably) healthy Caris and Walton but I hope that's not the case. He's probably the fastest guy on the team and maybe the second most athletic after Dawkins. I think confidence (along with added strength) is key for him in taking the next step.

When you say “confidence” I immediately think of jump shot for MAAR. If he improves his shot, he’s going to be a very good collegian

Dawkins needs some ball skills to make a significant jump.

So discouraging to see the staff work so hard, and in essence miss out on ALL of our early offered prospects sans Winston’s eventual decision. Teske is still a project in my mind (even though we secured his commitment early) and to see all of that “elite” talent turn us down is definitely discouraging. As Norman Dale says “my team is on the floor.” It’s just devoid of Leaf, Battle, Langford, Thornton… and possibly even Winston and Goodin. Sigh.

I know people seem to love the Novak’s and Stu Douglass types but I was sure hoping we were past those type of days when we had to turn to those players , you need talent to win in the big dance.